1997 S70 exterior mirror question

Hi all

Some absolute g*t hit my exterior mirror with his a few days ago. I have
replaced the mirror which was smashed but since found that one of the little
white, inch long rods with a ball on the end and teeth on that wind back and
forwards to turn the mirror left/right has had the ball snapped off. Ive
tried gluing the ball back on but it is very messy/fiddly and hasnt worked
to well. A local parts place tell me they can do me a replacement for not
much cash, but how easy is this to fit? It doesnt seem to pull right out or
wind out with the mirror control so I assume I need to take some parts of
the mechanics off of the mirror shell? Any help appreciated.

Chris

 

I had the same problem with my '99 S70. It is extremely easy to remove the
plastic gear from the mirror. All I had to do was remove the lens (just
pulls straight off) and run the mirror motor so the gear would stick out.
Once it reaches the stopper, the gear will start to rotate vertically and
you can pull it out of the mirror motor. Reassembly is the reverse
procedure.

I tried everywhere to find a new plastic straight gear but to no avail. The
dealer wouldn't sell the part (only sell the entire mirror assembly),
Autowreckers wouldn't sell it, and Volvo North America customer relations
said the part isn't available. After trying to use plastic epoxy glue and
twice having it break shortly after re-installing the gear, I managed to
glue it together using an adhesive called Automotive Goop. Let the glue dry
for at least 24 hours before moving the mirror.

Be aware that if you take the lens off several times the plastic tabs that
attach it to the housing can break off. I eventually had to glue the back
of the mirror to the housing to prevent it from falling off on the highway.
If the parts place is able to make up a gear, please let me know their phone
number so I can get one too. E-mail me if you have any problems getting the
mirror apart.

Cheers!
Jeff

 

Ahhhhh! I stopped running the motor when the arm started to move vertically,
thinking it had reached the stpper and that was it! I will try that
tomorrow, I really hope that works! heh heh. Save the money on a new unit
anyhoo! I will ask at my local spares again tomorrow, see if they still have
an arm in stock, fingers crossed.

Chris

 

Volvo does sell just the motor you do not have to buy
the whole mirror assembly

 

Oh yes, you can buy the motor with the arm attached from Volvo for ~$200!
That's pretty expensive to replace a 2 cent broken piece of plastic..

j.

 

Well my local garage is pretty cr*p and they could only suggest replacing
the whole mirror assembly and even just the motor part is overkill when such
a small easily replaceable piece of plastic is needed.

Chris

 

You might try to "Goop" it. Mine has held for the whole summer and
continues to work since glueing it. Apply glue liberally and give it lots
of time to dry.

good luck!
j.